Renovating stairs can give a home or gallery an entirely new feel. To refresh the look, you can reupholster a staircase and choose to replace the steps. In this article, you will discover options for renovating a staircase.
A staircase generally has a lot to endure, and it is usually a matter of time before it needs a thorough renovation. If you have decided to renovate the stairs, there are several options. The main question is: What style do you want to give the stairs? Do you opt for a timeless and modern look? Vinyl stair covering could be a good option. Or perhaps you prefer a warm look? Then you can choose to cover the stairs with fabric.
Different types of stair cladding
When renovating a staircase, it is crucial to determine beforehand what type of staircase and stair covering you have in mind. Do you have an open staircase, a spiral staircase, or a closed staircase, and what type of material is used for the current staircase? Often, stairs are made of wood, concrete, or stone. These factors play a role in determining the stair covering. When choosing the right stair covering, there are usually the following options: fabric covering, wooden stair covering, HPL stair covering, PVC stair covering, and vinyl stair covering.
- Fabric stair covering
Many staircases traditionally have a fabric covering. A fabric covering often creates a warm look, especially if the floor is covered with fabric or carpet. However, a fabric staircase requires a lot of maintenance as it quickly gets dirty and can start to look aged.
- Wooden stair covering
Wood, as a material for stairs, gives many options in terms of color and design, and this versatility makes it an excellent choice. For instance, with wooden staircase cladding, you can achieve a robust look, but a subtle, elegant look is also possible. These days, wood is also widely used as stair overlays. Stair overlays are placed over the existing staircase and can even turn an open staircase into a closed staircase. Thus, they can make a huge difference to the overall look. When choosing a wooden staircase or overlay steps, it is advisable to research what type of wood to use as this can vary quite a bit in terms of price. For example, the type of wood also determines whether the stairs will ‘creak’ as soon as someone uses them.
- HPL stair covering
HPL stands for High Pressured Laminate, and this is laminate consisting of three different layers: a base layer that provides strength, a decorative layer that determines the look and a top layer that makes the staircase greenhouse-resistant and safe. HPL staircase cladding is easy to maintain and offers a staircase that stays good for longer.
- PVC stair covering
Besides HPL, PVC staircase cladding is also among the most popular materials for staircase renovation. This is because PVC can take a beating and is very sturdy and safe (due to its high anti-slip value). There is a distinct difference in the application of the PVC, though. Many make the mistake of choosing loose PVC strips, which create seams often full of dirt and dust. To avoid this, you can opt for fitting PVC overlay steps. These can be fully custom-made so that everything fits together seamlessly, eradicating the chances of dirt and dust between cracks.
- Vinyl stair covering
Vinyl is a popular and widely used material for flooring, which also makes it ideal as a material for a maintenance-free staircase. When you opt for a staircase renovation with vinyl, you will never have to worry about damage or wear and tear again. Moreover, it can be used on almost any staircase.
Replacing stair treads
Everyone can feel loose and creaky stair boards when walking on stairs. Besides being a nuisance, this can also create dangerous situations. After all, countless accidents happen yearly due to loose or damaged stair treads.
Does it help to merely replace these culprits? Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable solution as it often displaces the problem, and in no time, there is another stair step that needs attention. Therefore, we advise replacing all stair treads at once if you are thinking of replacing a few.
